Thursday, December 24, 2015

Tatha, is an organic skin care brand under the umbrella brand Vedic Collection, founded by Dr. Divita Kanoria. All products of Vedic Collection are absolutely natural without preservatives, paraben or chemicals. And this is what attracted me the most to the brand. A whole media kit of Vedic Collections’ Tatha products was given as trial pack in cute organic wooden box. Here’s my review on two products from the box-

Review of Tatha Face wash- AlmondThe first look- The moment I opened the cap of the cute little jar, the yummy aroma hypnotized me. The texture is thick brownish jelly like, mixed with almond particles. The aroma will linger on to your senses and you would feel like eating it. One extra point for a natural scent.

The packaging- So stylish and cute. Easy to carry in hand bag or even while travelling. The golden cap and the little spill proof glass jar are absolutely stunning. The jelly texture is another reason for it to be spill proof.

How to use- Take a small quantity on your hand, rub palms with water and apply on face, leaving eye areas. Very less lather will form on palms. But don’t get trapped! The lather is because of almonds and honey. Upon initial application you might find it greasy and difficult to wash off. But you have to rinse well with water after massaging on face.

The results- The face wash will leave your face squeaky clean. Skin will not feel dry at all, unlike face wash of other brands from the market which tend to dry your skin after washing. The presence of natural oils prevents doing so in Tatha’s case. After wash, your skin feels nourished, bouncy without having the moisture stripped off from skin.

Word of caution- Avoid eye contact. Eyes will get burning/itchy sensation if face wash comes in contact with eyes. Splash eyes with water if that happens.

My recommendation- 100% yes! I loved this unique face wash and recommend to all those who are looking for natural products for their skin. It is safe and soft on skin. I rate it 4 on 5.

Review of Tatha Face scrub- Normal

The first look- The dry content inside the jar left me wondering about its usage. Usually scrubs of market are not so dry. But then again, I realized this is natural product without chemical binders or preservatives. The aroma is delectable for sure.

The packaging- Same as the face wash, the cute jar with golden cap looked very adorable. Neatly done, I must say.

How to use- Scoop out the scrub on your finger and dab on wet face. Focus on forehead, nose and chin, avoiding eye areas.

The result- Since the content is dry, I found it gliding on skin with difficulty. The scrub had a sticky consistency on my palm. Feels very soft and not harsh on skin. However, it did not work well on my skin, may be because I am used to the usual scrubs from market with thicker and harder granules. While scrubbing my face with Tatha scrub, the product lumped in places refusing to spread out. It was difficult to use.

Word of caution- Avoid eye areas.

My recommendation- This scrub will suit you if you have normal skin type. The scrub particles are soft on skin and not meant to exfoliate white or black heads. This face scrub is recommended for those who want mild scrub or want to exfoliate every day. I rate it 3 on 5.

My experiment- For an effective result, I mixed almond face wash with this scrub. It worked well. My face did not dry out, dead skin cells and mild white heads were exfoliated and skin looked refreshed. I can advise you to use the products together or a daily regimen if you want to see visible difference in your skin. The products are 100% natural, contain no parabens, have not been tested on animals and contain essential oils.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Food bloggers' meets are always unique and this time I was invited to an equally unique place named INFORMAL in Connaught Place, Delhi. The newly opened restro bar cum club is easy to locate on Tolstoy Marg, just few blocks away from British High Commission.

Lockers@Informal

Against all expectations of a dark place buzzing with smoke and loud noise, Informal made a pleasant

impression. With wooden floor and rustic walls, the place has its own charm. A well-lit ceiling instantly gets your attention. The rugged looking lockers, as explained by the staff, was for guests to store alcohol if they are unable to finish the same. The lockers are tagged with the guest name and the bottle is given to them the next time they come. A great way to relationship building with the unique personalization!

The ground floor is spacious enough for 40-50 people at one time. The staff directed us to first floor where half the floor was indoors and rest half on-looking into open terrace bar. The aesthetics are beautiful, very charming and do not look overdone. Not to forget the staff, who is super friendly and very courteous. They did not leave us unattended even for a minute. I am impressed indeed.

Informal has a large variety of food & beverages.

I started with Dahi k sholay and it was incredible. Crispy outside, tangy and soft inside. The dahi sholay left me asking for more. I coupled the snack with Virjin Mojito and it was bang on! Fresh, tangy and sweet, the drink was refreshing indeed with minimal fizz. Unlike other eating joints, Mojito wasn’t full of aerated drink. I loved it!

The second specialty dish was served in no time after we finished dahi sholay. Loved the presentation of Turkish caviar olives with lavish bread. Bread was crispy. The caviar did not suit our taste buds so we left it half eaten.

Fruit Mocktails

On the first floor, we dined in the terrace bar soaking the warmth of sun. The staff brought us basket bread with herb butter, barcelona tumaka and extra virgin olive oil. The bread platter had a good variety from soft buns to lavish bread and soft flat bread. The presentation was excellent, but the breads not that exciting. I ordered Curvature, a drink with orange chunks, lime chunks, passion fruit and peach, topped with apple juice. Hubby’s drink was a similar kind with lemon chunks replaced by apple chunks. He ordered chicken bites in charcoal with cilantro and spice parmesan sauce. Looked yummy! Hubby’s feedback- The taste was excellent but the smoky flavor was missing.

Mushroom rolls

Smokey chicken

Vodka on flame

As the day progressed with a huge variety of food on display and interaction with bloggers, we gorged on the Madrid specialty croquetas with mushroom. Deep fried and crispy, the golden rolls were loaded with cheese. Sinfully heavy but delicious.

I eyed the thin crust pizza but was too full to eat any further; though I did not miss chocolate coated lavish breads in dessert.

Informal put up a great show to mark the end to the meet with their “Vodka on flames” activity. Inverted glasses full of vodka at the base were lit up. The guests were to blow at the base of the glass to light up the flame. It soared high! Loved the activity.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

New Delhi (December 12th, 2015) —Vedic Collection announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website-https://vedic-collection.com

Key features of the site include a cleaner and more attractive design, a more engaging user experience with enhanced search and navigation. Vedic Collection specializes in Essential Oils and Aromatherapy based products for mind, body and spirit under the categories Tatha and Samaya. A large number of bloggers, journalists and young digital enthusiasts were invited to the event, where Vedic Collection founder, Ms Divita Kanoria and the team disseminated valuable information to enhance the skills, knowledge and outreach of the participating audience.

The speakers and participants held enlightening discussions about the site’s refreshed and simplified look combined with optimization for mobile devices which allows consumers to better interact with Vedic Collection online. The consumers can choose the beauty products according to natural ingredients like Almonds, Rose, Lavender etc and customize their own beauty box according to their regime, diet, skin type etc.

The site intends to build an online community that changes the beauty-shopping pattern; an interactive community where consumers’ opinions matter and where all beauty lovers are valued. So one can actually try out a product prior to buying it by choosing samples and getting them delivered. The users can also sign up for exclusive newsletters as well as the Vedic Collection’s special. The event witnessed some fun filled activities like ‘What’s your skin age’ wherein the bloggers filled up a form to determine their actual age of skin; ‘What’s your Rashi’?wherein the Bloggers were given an essential oil according to their sun sign. There were also enthralling round of discussions and a good grub session. The beauty , wellness, lifestyle bloggers and journalists were delighted to get hands-on experience and personal guidance from the learned experts of Aromatherapy.

Speaking on the launch of the website, Divita Kanoria, Founder and Chief wellness Officer says “Theelegant, consumer-centric design of the new Vedic collection website provides an innovative platform for our users that will boost the discoverability of our products and drive sales. There is an abundance of relevant and useful information on the site such as usage, tips, ideas and benefits of essential oils. This new website launch takes into account several of the most requested features including addition of tips and tricks, in-depth information on essential oils and aromatherapy, and enhanced search functionality, all of which give the reader a pleasurable viewing experience. We are pleased to see the young digital influencers who have participated in the Bloggers event and I courteously thank them for their enthusiastic participation .Vedic Collection looks forward to sharing and creating greater momentum with them.”

About Vedic Collection

The Vedic Collection is totally committed to provide pure, natural, safe and effective products,
thereby, enhancing and enriching the lives of all those we touch. All our products are handmade under strict quality supervision and are paraben, sulphate and chemical free and are not tested on animals. We use, only recyclable glass bottles for storing our products to maintain its purity, as we are aware that plastic containers react with the essential ingredients used in aromatherapy and loses its potency. Our products are 100% pure, authentic, unique and safe. They do not contain any chemicals.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

How does one describe travelling? For few it means discovering new cuisines and culture, for few it is a change of place and weather, and for few it means pure fun or family time.

For me, it is unraveling myself keeping stress at bay. But how many realize the stress that we pass on to the environment or the residents of the place visited? Like many others, the realization came to me after I graduated from school. I became a frequent traveler who loved to make short trips on extended holidays or weekends. Convenience is what travelers pay for, and the most convenient way to travel for me was Volvo bus. Little did the fact dawned upon me about the fuel consumption and the pollution caused due to it. It was for the first time when I went to Jaipur, I found it so difficult to breathe in the polluted air! Unlike Delhi, commercial vehicles in Jaipur run on diesel instead of CNG. Perhaps CNG does not generate profit. Same was the case in Manali, when I almost choked in polluted air, in spite of the serene nature and trees around. Further, the disastrous news on ban of snow sports in Manali left me heart broken. Activities like skiing, snow biking, paragliding were banned in Manali due to rising pollution level. The entire purpose of my visit was defeated with this ban! However, the very next moment, it was also a learning for me, how tourism has destroyed our environment.

While trekking up the hills of Manali and McLeodganj, heaps of non-bio-degradable waste turned me off. Why can’t we stop trashing plastic, if not stop using? I trash wrappers, packets or bottles in my handbag but never leave them at picnic spots. Shopkeepers at hill stations, wrap items in paper bags, as a measure to curb plastic pollution. It is the responsibility of tourists like us to respect the move and not litter the tourist places. Boozing at the recreation places in hill stations should be banned and a fine be imposed on those who leave their bottles there. That’s not a dustbin, mind you!

Love nature

Agra Tourism ministry has introduced battery operated rickshaws for tourists from parking to the Taj Mahal entrance. Any initiative to bring down the air pollution should be encouraged. Welcome the initiative and travel in eco-friendly vehicles, wherever possible. If the distance is short, why not walk? You might as well burn some calories! As a responsible tourist, I propose nature walks or jungle safaris instead of hiring diesel jeeps or noisy cars. We have strayed away from environment in the daily hustle bustle of life. Lets reconnect with nature and rediscover some inner joys while touring. In fact, many tours are for a change of weather. Let’s keep the same weather stable, green and pleasant for all.

Refrain from littering in water bodies too. My dad once scolded a gentleman washing utensils in the river while we were on a picnic in Sahastradhara (Sulphur water spring and river in the hills of Uttarakhand). The gentleman had a perception that running water carries away the dirt/waste. Little did he realize the harm he was doing by adding pollution to water and river-bed, which my calmly dad explained. Such is the kind of stand we need to take, for the environment, as a citizen, if not as a tourist. Let’s think beyond “Oh there are so many washing clothes/ trashing packets in the river already. Why not me?” Let’s do that everywhere, in any country. You don’t want the coming generations to see a dead world, will you?

Protect monuments

Stand up and speak up if you witness historical monuments being tampered. From scribbling names to fishing out stones or breaking walls, a responsible tourist will refrain from such activities as well as be vocal against these. Destroying cultural heritage is nobody’s business, and I am intolerant about it as a responsible tourist.

I have pledged to gift a green from my next tour onwards. Instead of buying fancy show pieces, why not bring back a tree sapling from the place visited? Apart from that, why not gift a sapling or indoor plant to your friends/ relatives as a memoir of the place, instead of bringing sweet boxes or fatty snacks? This will encourage green tourism!

Respect wildlife. Do no barge into their habitat or disturb their lifestyle, else they should come charging at you. As far I am concerned, I end up befriending animals (not the wild ones of course), bringing back great memories from each tour.

Be kind to animals

Be compassionate

In a nutshell, we as responsible tourists can contribute a lot consciously to make Earth a better place. We can balance our recreation activities with little efforts for the environment that can make big difference gradually.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Lipsticks have brought about a revolutionary change in makeup and the way ladies look. A good lipstick when worn properly with matching outfits and complementing makeup, enhances your look by many folds. I tried Avon’s Ultra Color Bold Lipstick and fell for this absolutely fab lippi!

Avon Ultra Color Bold Lipstick

The product claims to have 50% more pigments packed into every lipstick that gives saturated intense color. The lipstick also has True Color Technology which says that the colors that you see on the lipstick is actually what you get on your lips. (Unlike other brands where the lipstick color appears different when applied on lips).

Initially I was apprehensive about using such bold intense colors on my lips. However, when I used it, my inhibitions proved wrong. The application is smooth as the lipstick has creamy texture. Lips don’t shine with this lipstick. Color glides on evenly, imparting a soft feel.

The color stayed on my lips without bleeding. (Mind you, I did not outline my lips with a lip liner)

Bold Lipstick payoff @8:30am

Bold Lipstick payoff @2pm

The first picture on left was taken around 8:30 am. The lip color (Ultra Color Bold in Ruby Shock) stayed and looked as good as before even at 2 pm after lunch! Perhaps it is the saturated pigment that makes the color last on your lips.

The entire pallet has bright pop shades which are quite in these days. The neon shades make your face bright while giving your makeup a youthful feel. This lipstick is a perfect balance of moisture and pop.

When you take the color off, your lips don't chap. Ultra Color lipstick is a must have lipstick for all lovely ladies out there.

I loved the orange base colors of Bright Nectar (Light orange) and Coral Burst (darker one) which is suitable for medium complexion.

Below are the other pretty shades of Bold lipstick from left to right- Fearless fuchsia, magenta flash, coffee crush, starburst pink and hi def plum.

I rate it 4 on 5 because the colors stay for long, the shades are bright & pop, have a creamy texture and moisturizing base.

The packaging could have been sleeker for a smarter look, though The current packaging is still okay. The only turn off for me was no SPF. Rest, this lipstick is indeed a head turner and a must have for all seasons, especially for the dull weather.

Priced at Rs. 465, the current offer price of Bold lipstick is Rs. 365. Totally worth buying. You might get it at a lower price from your Avon representative. Call your Avon rep now and order the lipstick.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Ladies often refrain from using makeup daily. Often they complain of breakouts on skin or oily look due to usage of foundation. It happens because skin pores get blocked with foundation and further cause skin problems if not cleaned daily. I use foundation almost daily and have always chosen from Lakme daily range. I was an ardent fan of Lakme daily souffle and Lakme face magic daily foundation. However I was looking for an advanced foundation with more benefits, which is why I switched to Lakme Absolute Mattereal Mousse Foundation.

-Works on my skin as I stay indoors in air conditioned room for 8 hours and my skin is a combination one. However foundation may run out in humid climate. Those with dry skin should moisturize face before applying.

- Gives full but light coverage. Not recommended for those who need heavy coverage or for party makeup.

-For daily use, price is on higher side.

- Does not stay for 16 hours. Good for 6-7 hours. Have to reapply after 8 hours.

-Though the content is cakey and spill proof, it should be held cautiously. If tumbled or tilted, the whole content falls out in one piece. (I have suffered twice)

I would rate it 3.5 on 5 since I look for more coverage in a little lesser price. Rest, the product is fantastic with matte feather touch.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

This post is an account of our last day in Manali as we visited Manu temple and part of Old Manali.

Day 3. Itinerary

1. Manu Temple

We left early morning from
our hotel even before breakfast, hiking to Manu Temple just one & a half kilometre away. The narrow lanes with an upward steep felt tiring in the first go
but as the morning Sun and pleasant breeze embraced us gently, it kept us going.
The road is not motor-able though we spotted locals driving Maruti 800 (the
most common car there) on those steep roads.

(Manu temple is 3 km from Mall road)

The sight of hip hop
colourful eating joints selling momos and soup, little cafes by the river side,
bike renting shops was quite thrilling. The quiet lanes of Manali apparently
appeal to people from abroad. Few come to meditate, few for break year after
school and many come in search of Marijuana. India being half as expensive as
their country, makes them settle here. Most of the bike renting shops we saw
were owned by NRI.

We paced slowly towards
Manu temple observing the clouds, old houses, vegetable shops and the lifestyle
of the people. No wonder why do hill stations appeal so much!

Manu Rishi is the originator
of human race and also the creator of Manusmriti, the book that laid the
foundation of mankind. This is the only temple in India dedicated to Manu
Rishi. Apparently the place was named Manali after him and this temple was the
very place where he meditated after stepping on the planet.

Paving our way through the slippery stone path, the sight of the temple was sheer delight. A huge rustic looking bell at the entrance of the temple said it all. The temple is very old, only to be rebuilt in 1992 with curved ceiling and marble floor. The whole structure is made with wood and stones. The river Beas flowing by, adds mystical charm to the temple.

The view from temple

Wood and stone structure

The exteriors

This was quite
fascinating. As we entered the main shrine, the whole wooden flooring, peaceful
ambiance and the neat spacious hall filled us with tranquility. Worshipers sit
on the wooden floor and meditate for hours. The blue sky and clouds wave hello
to you through the windows. No loud music or snob display of richness was the
ultimate experience! After all the whole mankind runs after peace of mind, isn’t
it? I came out enriched with spiritual bliss.

We walked out and I made a new furry friend. The kind management of the temple and people around the premises are canine friendly. They don’t mind sharing space with these fur balls.

2. River Music Cafe

The down trek from Manu Temple did not take us long. The lanes which were quiet in morning, were bustling with energy then.

We took left from
the little bridge to stop at River Music Café for a quick bite. The eating
joint is located next to the river from where the view is marvelous.

Fresh apple juice is a must try in Himachal. Highly recommended. No preservatives,
no additives. Pure, cold pressed, fresh.

The eating joint has a
small passage to go near the river. Advisable-
Not to be adventurous. Do not jump into the water or attempt crossing the
river. You might disappear in the high water current within few seconds! We
basked in the sun and sat by the river relishing each moment in Manali,
before retiring to our hotel room and packing up.

3. Great Himalayan Forest Park

Our check out time from
Rohtang Manaslsu was twelve noon and our Volvo departure time was half past
five in evening. Ouch! With more than five hours in hand, we kept thinking what
to do, when suddenly an idea struck upon us. We had crossed the Great Himalayan
Forest Park everyday while going to Mall Road. With our bag-packs on shoulders,
we checked into this serene place, void of any footfall. The silence of the
serene place was accompanied by the roaring Beas river. The only sound in this
protected forest was a tractor which had come for repair work.

The forest houses the Nehru Pheasantry with few species of fauna. Though the idea of caging them does not feel good at all, but at-least they are protected. We witnessed the Himalayan Monal who resembles a short version of peacock. Watching birds is so much fun!

Monal

Another protected specie of bird

We spend a great time in the Himalayan Forest free of cost, soaking in fresh air and treating ourselves to peaceful moments.

Credit: Hubby of course

At 2:00 pm, we strolled out
from the forest to Mall Road and had scrumptious lunch at one of the
restaurants there. Post lunch till the time of scheduled departure, we lazed
around clicking as many pictures as we could and collecting memories till we
visit this beautiful place again.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

We
had booked a cab for Rohtang from Govt authorised Hiamchal Taxi Operators Office a
day prior to Rohtang visit. Advisable to book from authorized operators who
charge reasonably and drive responsibly. To know what all we explored on first
day, read here http://bit.ly/2uojHb3

Though we were a little disappointed on
learning about the ban of snow activities, yet we were geared up for the next
day trip to Rohtang
Pass, 51 km from Manali. Since snow had not touched the lower
hills, we did not rent snow dress, which otherwise is must have during heavy
snowfall. Negotiate
for your dress cost in the market, which may range from 200 to 500 INR per
person. Do not rent from shacks just before Rohtang.

Snow clad hill tops, clouds in the way,
lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls added sparkle to our journey. Apart from
the fixed rate of Taxi, we additionally paid a toll tax of 50 rupees only. (No
driver should charge you more than 50 INR for taxi ride). The entire route is
maintained by BRO (Border Road organization). The curvy roads, at times bumpy
and at times smooth, pass through village named Marhi, which is the last
village before Rohtang. Advisable to buy eatables or have meals here, since
there are no shops in the 15 km stretch till Rohtang. The village has a Tibetan
Temple which is a good place for photo opportunities Pic courtesy- Hubby
:-)

As we touched Rohtang base, frozen winds hit our ears hard. We trekked towards the snow top braving the rocky steeps. Wear gripping shoes, warm clothes and do not carry heavy bag pack with you. As oxygen levels are low in mountains, you might feel dizzy, breathless or heaviness in chest. Its 14000 feet above sea level after all. Advisable to trek up slowly with short breaks in between. Do not forget to sip water in small quantity.

Snow falls up to a thickness of 12 feet
in peak season, making it practically impossible to trek up. We were lucky
enough to trek in off season with good visibility and comparatively warmer
weather. Trekking tests your endurance and gives you an unforgettable lifetime
experience. When you see the clouds playing hide &seek with the Sun,
mount tops painted with snow, plush green hills disappearing in foggy blanket,
herds of sheep grazing, massive Yaks walking past and vibrant hues of mountain
plants, you start wondering how much nature has in abundance to offer, which we
are ignorant of! The mesmerizing experience gives a shudder in your body. You
feel as if you have discovered something, or substance of life. You suddenly
want more; want to break free and carry on! At least I felt so. While
hubby faced a little difficulty in climbing up, he patiently went ahead, beyond
his limit, just to accompany me. Such activities bonds people stronger, trust
me!

Some distance from snow at Rohtang

We halted at multiple spots to catch our
breath, sip water and watch the beauty around. It is out of the world. Every halt that we made felt like an
eternity and we only wished time could stop. We relaxed, soaked in the warm
sunshine, breathed in pure air and kept moving towards the zenith. Seeing the
locals and other mountaineers trekking to the snow point, gives you a kick
within. I wanted to go on, but stopped as higher altitude multiplies the risks.
Also, hubby was tired pertaining to less oxygen level. He was almost out of
breath.

For many, trekking down seems an easy
task. However it is MORE difficult than what it looks like. While descending,
your legs feel the force to control and balance the body. Applying brakes to
legs is more painful and difficult hence. Only good shoes can save you in such
case. Be careful while stepping on stones for they might be slippery. The risk
rises during snowfall. Expert guidance is needed there.

I enjoyed the journey to and fro as much I loved the trek to the peak. The
entire experience gave me a different perspective of life. Following are
pictures that I took on the way to and back from Rohtang.

Rohtang is an easy trek for beginners.
One only needs to be alert and careful while trekking the mountain, especially
when it snows. I finally ticked off Rohtang from my bucket list but do want to
visit again.

SOLANG

After a good 2.5 hours at Rohtang, we
headed to Solang
Valley, about 20 km from Rohtang. Had fun taking pictures among
grazing sheep, colorful valleys till we reached a green pasture-land Solang
Valley. Paragliding, Zorbing, snow scooters have been banned here as well. The
only activity open was Ropeway
Trolley Ride, which covers 3 km over a vast expanse of deodar
and pine forests.

The view from the trolley is fantastic.
However, each seat costs 500 INR, which I felt was a bit high.

Once you reach the hill top, take a relaxing break in nature’s arms. The beautiful
velvety stretch of little flowers, tall trees and trimmed grass makes the
trolley ticket price worth it.

It is picture perfect and
beautiful beyond words. Little benches have been planted in the bays for people
to unwind. If only rope-way would operate whole night, I would have spent the
whole night there. Reluctantly we descended the rope-way, bidding goodbye to
Solang.

The whole day trip
left us refreshed and rejuvenated. We ended up with a stroll and late dinner on
Mall Road, till we retired to the hotel room and crashed. This was on account
of two days. To know about the third day, stay tuned for the next blog
post. :-)